Kenya Bags Top Spot in the East African Youth Digital Readiness Index
The Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index for 2023 has Kenya at the top of the list.
Rwanda and Uganda are in second and third place, respectively, behind Kenya.
According to the research, Somalia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo came in sixth, seventh, and eighth place, respectively, while Ethiopia and Tanzania came in fourth and fifth.
Kenya’s stance is supported by the report, which lists its widespread mobile money network, government-funded infrastructure projects, and digital literacy initiatives.
The report notes that although the nation still has challenges related to unequal access to technology in rural areas, this is a regional issue.
Online safety, government assistance, and digital skills are just a few of the variables examined in Qhala’s new 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index. Qhala is a digital transformation and innovation management business.
Its objective was to pinpoint regions in need of development and foster regional cooperation in order to close the digital divide and give young people more influence.
The report also shows that the use of mobile money increased in a number of nations, promoting financial inclusion.
Sudan is seeing an increase in the use of mobile money because to the popularity of apps like MTN Mobile Money and Zain Cash.
With services like M-Pesa and Orange Money, the use of mobile money is also increasing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For many Congolese, this spike in mobile money usage improves their financial stability and promotes a cashless society.
The use of mobile money is booming in South Sudan as well. Financial inclusion is being aided by platforms such as mJang and Equitel Mobile Money, especially in rural areas where traditional banking is unavailable.
The 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index, according to Dr. Shikoh Gitau, Founder and CEO of Qhala, is a useful tool for businesses, policymakers, civil society, and educational institutions. It offers a roadmap for strategic interventions to foster digital readiness and innovation and provides nuanced insights into the digital landscape of Eastern African countries.
“The essence of digital readiness extends beyond mere technological adoption. It encompasses a country’s potential to evolve into a digitally driven, skills-endowed, innovation-centric, and sustainable economy. Recognizing the significance of this paradigm shift, we present the 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index, a quantitative measure designed to gauge the digital potential and performance of Eastern African countries,” she said.
Gitau thinks that the 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness will spur the digital economy of the continent because of its youthful population.
“The youth are a major force behind the region’s digital development because of their propensity for entrepreneurship, great love for digital tools, and capacity to adapt to new technology,” says Gitau.
“Youth who are prepared for the digital age boosts Eastern Africa’s competitiveness abroad. Strong digital infrastructure and a highly skilled labor force make a country more appealing to foreign investors and enable it to engage more successfully in the global digital economy.”
Every year, the Youth Digital Readiness Index Report will be published to provide an update on every country’s performance and status.
The project aims to assess progress, influence governmental decisions, empower the young, and advance regional development.
